Hydraulic fluid cooling system for pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions with auxiliary hydraulic circuit

ABSTRACT

A hydraulic fluid cooling system for a pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions includes a common reservoir holding hydraulic fluid and having hydraulic lines connecting the common reservoir to each integrated hydrostatic transmission, a hydraulic fluid reservoir inside each integrated hydrostatic transmission, and a pump for pumping fluid from each transmission&#39;s hydraulic fluid reservoir to the other transmission. An auxiliary hydraulic circuit is between the pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions. The system pumps hydraulic fluid from one of the integrated hydrostatic transmission to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit, and the return line from the auxiliary hydraulic circuit may be connected to the other integrated hydrostatic transmission.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hydraulic fluid cooling systems for integratedhydrostatic transmissions, and specifically to hydraulic fluid coolingsystems for a pair of individual integrated hydrostatic transmissions onzero turn radius (“ZTR”) mowers. This invention also relates toauxiliary hydraulic circuits on such mowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Grass mowing machines known as zero turning radius (“ZTR”) mowers haveindependently powered drive wheels on each side of a frame. One drivewheel may be operated in a forward direction while the other drive wheelmay be stopped or operated in reverse. Many ZTR mowers have a twin stickcontrol system. A pair of control levers or sticks may be providedside-by-side, with each lever or stick controlling one of the drivewheels. When both levers or sticks are advanced together forwardly outof their neutral position, both drive wheels rotate forwardly to causethe mower to move forward. A ZTR mower may be steered by advancing onelever or stick more than the other.

Some ZTR mowers include a pair of individual integrated hydrostatictransmissions, each integrated hydrostatic transmission having avariable displacement pump and an independent wheel motor. Advantages ofa pair of individual integrated hydrostatic transmissions includeflexibility in the width of the mowing vehicle, and freeing up centerspace between the pair of transmissions.

In the past, each integrated hydrostatic transmission has included itsown hydraulic fluid reservoir system. However, when a ZTR mower operateson a side slope, the fluid used in the integrated hydrostatictransmission for the downhill working drive wheel will increase intemperature significantly. Under those circumstances, the hydraulicfluid temperature for the downhill transmission may climb beyond theallowable fluid temperature.

One approach to reduce the hydraulic fluid temperature is to provide ahydraulic fluid cooler to provide extra cooling for each integratedhydrostatic transmission. However, the cooler and additional hydrauliclines can increase the cost of each integrated hydrostatic transmissionsignificantly, and also may become plugged by debris in the mowingenvironment.

Alternatively, the surface area of an integrated hydrostatictransmission housing can be increased to help dissipate the heat andreduce the fluid temperature. An air flow device such as a fan also canincrease the cooling capacity. However, this alternative is limited bycost and space constraints on a ZTR mower, and does not increase coolingcapacity sufficiently under severe conditions.

Some ZTR mowers may include auxiliary hydraulic circuits such aselectro-hydraulic lift systems used to raise the mower deck. Auxiliaryhydraulic circuits may be costly to install during or after manufactureand assembly of the mower. There is a need for a less costly lift systemthat can be more readily installed. There also is a need for higher liftcapacity and better durability than is provided by electro hydrauliclift systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hydraulic fluid cooling system for a pair of integrated hydrostatictransmissions includes fluid lines connecting between the pair ofintegrated hydrostatic transmissions. A pump may urge hydraulic fluidthrough the fluid lines from each integrated hydrostatic transmission tothe other integrated hydrostatic transmission. The pump may be a remotepump, such as an electric pump, or a charge pump in each integratedhydrostatic transmission. The system also may include a common reservoirholding hydraulic fluid for both integrated hydrostatic transmissions.

The hydraulic fluid cooling system can send hydraulic fluid from thesump or reservoir of each integrated hydrostatic transmission to theother transmission, providing the cooling capacity of a non-loadedtransmission to cool hydraulic fluid for a fully loaded transmission.The system does not require use of a hydraulic fluid cooler, is notprone to plugging, and does not require additional air flow systems toprovide separate cooling air.

An auxiliary hydraulic circuit, which may include a lift cylinder, maybe connected between the pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions.Hydraulic fluid flows through the auxiliary hydraulic circuit from oneintegrated hydrostatic transmission to the other integrated hydrostatictransmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of integrated hydrostatictransmissions with a hydraulic fluid cooling system according to a firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic fluid cooling system for apair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic fluid cooling system for apair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions according to a secondembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic fluid cooling system for apair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions according to a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic fluid cooling system for apair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions according to a fourthembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic fluid cooling system for apair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions with an auxiliary hydrauliccircuit according to a fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The auxiliary hydraulic circuit of the present invention may be usedwith a pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions on a zero turningradius (“ZTR”) mower. A ZTR mower has a drive wheel on each side that isindependently powered to rotate independently of the other drive wheel.Each of the left and right drive wheels have an integrated hydrostatictransmission 101, 102 to transmit power from an internal combustionengine or other power source to an independent wheel motor. The left andright integrated hydrostatic transmissions 101, 102 may be housed inupper casings 106, 107 attached to lower casings 108, 109. The upperand/or lower casings may have cooling fins to help dissipate heatgenerated by the transmission during operation.

Each integrated hydrostatic transmission may be a closed loop systemwith a variable displacement reversible pump 132, 133 driven by pumpinput shaft powered by an internal combustion engine, which providespressurized flow of hydraulic fluid through fluid lines to a fixeddisplacement motor 146, 147 that rotates an output shaft or axle 110,111 for a traction drive wheel. Each pump provides fluid to a motorthrough either a forward line or reverse line, while the other lineserves as a return line. For example, the pump displacement may bevariable between 0 and 13.3 cc/revolution and may be driven by aninternal combustion engine or other power source. The fixed displacementmotor may have a speed proportional to the 0-13.3 cc/revolution flowfrom the pump.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a first embodiment of the hydraulic fluidcooling system. The bold arrows show the closed loop flow of hydraulicfluid between each variable displacement pump 132, 133 and hydraulicmotor 146, 147, while each steering control and trunion arm 124, 125operates an integrated hydrostatic transmission in the forwarddirection. If the steering controls and trunion arms of thetransmissions were reversed to operate the transmissions in the reversedirection, the flow of hydraulic fluid would be reversed and the boldarrows point in the opposite direction.

A common hydraulic fluid reservoir or tank 103 provides hydraulic fluidthrough the upper casings 106, 107 into both integrated hydrostatictransmissions 101, 102. Hydraulic lines 104, 105 including fittings orconnectors connect the common reservoir 103 to the upper casings of eachtransmission.

An internal combustion engine or other power source may drive each pumpthrough a belt driven pulley 120, 121 mounted on a shaft extendingthrough each upper casing. A cooling fan 112, 113 also may be mounted oneach shaft above the pulley. Each integrated hydrostatic transmissionmay have a swash plate to define a pump stroke between a neutralposition, a full forward position, and a full reverse position. Anoperator may use steering controls connected to trunion arms 124, 125 topivot the swash plates for driving and steering the vehicle.

Additionally, each integrated hydrostatic transmission 101, 102 may havea brake trunion arm 126, 127. The brake trunion arm may provide aparking brake from the motor to the axle wheel hub, and may engage themotor shaft, axle shaft or reduction shaft.

Each integrated hydrostatic transmission may include a positivedisplacement charge pump 134, 135 to make up fluid losses from theclosed loop through internal leakage. Each charge pump may have asmaller capacity than pumps 132, 133, to provide makeup flow ofhydraulic fluid from each sump. Each charge pump may be driven by theinternal combustion engine or other power source, and may providepressurized flow of hydraulic fluid from the sump or reservoir 144, 145in each casing, and may have a displacement of 4.125 cc/revolution, forexample.

In the first embodiment, the flow of charge fluid from each charge pump134, 135 is indicated by the light arrows in FIG. 2. In this embodiment,the charge fluid is from an outlet of each charge pump 134, 135 througha hydraulic line or hose 114, 115 to an inlet to the other integratedhydrostatic transmission. The pair of hydraulic lines or hosesconnecting between the pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions maydirect hydraulic fluid from one transmission to be used for charge fluidin the other transmission. Optionally, a screen or filter 136, 137 maybe provided in each hydraulic line 114, 115 between the pair ofintegrated hydrostatic transmissions. Optionally, each hydraulic line114, 115 may have a flex point to allow the integrated hydrostatictransmissions to move relative to each other.

In the first embodiment, once charge fluid from charge pumps 134, 135 isdirected through hydraulic lines 114, 115 to the other hydrostatictransmission, the charge fluid then may be directed through check valvesand orifices to reach the low pressure side of a hydraulic motor 146,147. If each integrated hydrostatic transmission is in forward, as shownin FIG. 2, the charge fluid flow is primarily through check valves 154,155 and orifices 150, 151. If the transmission is in reverse, the chargefluid flow is primarily through check valves 152, 153 and orifices 148,149.

Each integrated hydrostatic transmission may include a charge pumprelief valve 140, 141 so that if hydraulic fluid pressure from thecharge pump exceeds a predetermined pressure such as 0.25 MPa, thecharge pump relief valve opens to send charge fluid to sump or reservoir144, 145 in each transmission.

Additionally, each integrated hydrostatic transmission may include abypass valve 130, 131 which may be controlled by trunions 128, 129 todirect charge fluid flow around the hydraulic motor.

Each integrated hydrostatic transmission optionally may include animplement relief valve 138, 139 so that if the line from the charge pumpto the other transmission is blocked and the charge fluid pressureexceeds a predetermined pressure such as 4.5 MPa, the implement reliefvalve opens to send charge fluid from the charge pump to join the chargeflow in the same transmission, or directly to the sump if charge flowneeds of the loops are met.

Check valves 142, 143 may be provided in hydraulic lines connected tothe sump or reservoir 144, 145 of each integrated hydrostatictransmission. Check valves 142, 143 allow hydraulic fluid to flow aroundthe charge pump when the engine is off, so that the loops remain chargedwith hydraulic fluid and can resist rolling downhill on a slope.

In a second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, remote pump 161is provided in hydraulic line 162 connecting between the pair ofintegrated hydrostatic transmissions. For example, the remote pump maybe a positive displacement electric pump to direct flow of hydraulicfluid from the sump or reservoir of each integrated hydrostatictransmission through the hydraulic line to the sump of the othertransmission. In this embodiment, return flow may be through lines 104,105 via common reservoir 103. Alternatively, according to a thirdembodiment shown in FIG. 4, return flow may be through hydraulic line163 connecting between the sumps or reservoirs 145, 146 of the pair ofintegrated hydrostatic transmissions.

In a fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, hydraulic line 164 is providedto link between the sumps or reservoirs 144, 145 of the pair ofintegrated hydrostatic transmissions, without a separate pump. Instead,the fourth embodiment functions as a natural heat pump to circulatehydraulic fluid between the pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissionswhen there is a temperature difference in the hydraulic fluid.Additionally, hydraulic fluid may be returned through lines 104, 105connecting common reservoir 103 to the pair of integrated hydrostatictransmissions.

By pumping hydraulic fluid from the sump or reservoir of each integratedhydrostatic transmission to the other transmission, the hydraulic fluidcooling system of this invention provides the cooling capacity of anon-loaded transmission to cool hydraulic fluid for a fully loadedtransmission. The system is low cost because it does not require use ofa hydraulic fluid cooler. Additionally, the system is not prone toplugging as are many coolers, and does not require additional air flowsystems to provide separate cooling air.

In a fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, auxiliary hydraulic circuit 200may be connected between pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions202, 204. The auxiliary hydraulic circuit, for example, may be anoptional, remote, external hydraulic system that includes lift cylinder206 for raising and lowering a mower deck or other mechanism. Theauxiliary hydraulic system may be used in a system for sharing andcooling of hydraulic fluid between a pair of integrated hydrostatictransmissions, and does not require an additional return line filter toprotect each hydrostatic transmission from contaminations to hydraulicfluid.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, hydraulic output line 208 may be connectedbetween outlet 210 of integrated hydrostatic transmission 202 andauxiliary hydraulic circuit 200. If hydraulic fluid is directed outthrough outlet 210 to hydraulic output line 208, internal return line230 may be inactive or closed. Hydraulic output line 208 may providehigh pressure hydraulic fluid from integrated hydrostatic transmission202 to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit. The auxiliary hydraulic circuitmay include SCV valve 212. The SCV valve may be a spool valve actuatableby the operator to at least a first position to raise the lift cylinderand a second position to lower the lift cylinder.

In one embodiment, hydraulic fluid may return from auxiliary hydrauliccircuit 200 to integrated hydrostatic transmission 202 through hydraulicreturn line 214. Hydraulic return line 214 may be connected to returninlet 216 of integrated hydrostatic transmission 202, which may directflow of hydraulic fluid to sump or reservoir 218. Alternatively,hydraulic fluid may be returned from auxiliary hydraulic circuit 200 tointegrated hydrostatic transmission 202 by connecting hydraulic returnline 214 to return inlet 220 of integrated hydrostatic transmission 204.Return inlet 220 may direct flow of hydraulic fluid to sump or reservoir222. Alternatively, return line 214 may be connected to both returninlets 216 and 220 with a T fitting.

In one embodiment, common hydraulic fluid reservoir or tank 224 mayprovide hydraulic fluid from integrated hydrostatic transmission 204 tointegrated hydrostatic transmission 202. Hydraulic lines 226, 228 mayconnect the common reservoir 224 to the upper casings of each integratedhydrostatic transmission. As a result, cooling may be accomplished bysharing and mixing of hydraulic fluid among the pair of transmissionsthrough the lines to the common reservoir.

In one embodiment, if the auxiliary hydraulic circuit is not in use,hydraulic output line 208 may be disconnected from outlet 210 ofintegrated hydrostatic transmission 202, and a replaceable dischargeplug (not shown) may be plugged into the outlet. Additionally, if theauxiliary hydraulic circuit is not in use, internal return line 230 inintegrated hydrostatic transmission 202 may become active while thedischarge plug is in outlet 210, so that internal return line 230 canreturn hydraulic fluid to sump or reservoir 218. Similarly, if theauxiliary hydraulic circuit is not in use, the hydraulic return line maybe disconnected from the inlet of either integrated hydrostatictransmission 202 or 204, and a replaceable discharge plug may be pluggedinto the inlet.

In one embodiment, the auxiliary hydraulic circuit may include filter232. Alternatively, each integrated hydrostatic transmission 202, 204includes an internal filter 234, 236 for cleaning hydraulic fluid fromthe sump, and no additional filter is required or needed in theauxiliary hydraulic circuit.

Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent thatvarious modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hydraulic fluid cooling system for a pairof integrated hydrostatic transmissions, comprising: fluid linesconnecting a common reservoir between the pair of integrated hydrostatictransmissions; and an auxiliary hydraulic circuit connected between asump of each of the pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions; theauxiliary hydraulic circuit including an operator actuatable valve and alift cylinder to raise and lower a mower deck such that hydraulic fluidflows through the auxiliary hydraulic circuit from one integratedhydrostatic transmission to the other integrated hydrostatictransmission without a hydraulic fluid cooler.
 2. A hydraulic fluidcooling system for a pair of integrated hydrostatic transmissions,comprising: a common reservoir holding hydraulic fluid and havinghydraulic lines connecting the common reservoir to each integratedhydrostatic transmission; a hydraulic fluid reservoir inside each of thepair of integrated hydrostatic transmission; a pump for pumping fluidfrom one of the transmission's hydraulic fluid reservoir through anauxiliary hydraulic circuit to the other transmission; the auxiliaryhydraulic circuit having an operator actuatable valve and a liftcylinder to raise and lower a mower deck absent any hydraulic fluidcooling radiator.
 3. The hydraulic fluid cooling system of claim 2wherein the lift cylinder is actuated by a spool valve.
 4. The hydraulicfluid cooling system of claim 3 wherein the pump is positivedisplacement charge pump.
 5. A method for cooling hydraulic fluid in afirst integrated hydrostatic transmission and a second integratedhydrostatic transmission, comprising: connecting a common reservoir ofhydraulic fluid to both integrated hydrostatic transmissions; pumpinghydraulic fluid through a first fluid line from a sump of the firsthydrostatic transmission to an auxiliary hydraulic circuit; returninghydraulic fluid from the auxiliary hydraulic circuit to a sump of thesecond integrated hydrostatic transmission; the common reservoir andauxiliary hydraulic circuit providing hydraulic fluid cooling by movinghydraulic fluid between the first and the second hydrostatictransmissions without a radiator.
 6. The method for cooling hydraulicfluid of claim 5 further comprising filtering the hydraulic fluid in thefirst fluid line.
 7. The method for cooling hydraulic fluid of claim 5further comprising pumping hydraulic fluid with a positive displacementcharge pump in each integrated hydrostatic transmission.